The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with 44 close contacts identified for tracing to prevent further spread.
Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday following laboratory confirmation of the case.
According to the minister, the patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
“She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care,” the statement reads.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread.
“Contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far. Public health teams are identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
“Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.”
The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain on high alert.
He added that healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.
Nigerians Should Remain Calm and Vigilant
The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, recalling that the country successfully contained Ebola in 2014.
He said Nigeria had the experience and public health systems to respond to the current case, adding that containing Ebola required the cooperation of all citizens.
“The federal government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public. Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information,” he said.
“We urge Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities. Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread.
“The Government of Nigeria, through the Presidential Task Force on EVD and the NCDC, will continue to provide updates.
“The NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call the NCDC toll-free number 6232.”
In May, the Federal Government assured Nigerians that there was no confirmed case of Ebola in the country and said all necessary precautionary measures had been activated to strengthen national preparedness and response systems.
The assurance followed reports of Ebola outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Earlier in October, Kenyan authorities confirmed the country’s first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).
